Pacific Blue by Sally Hansen

This is Sally Hansen Pacific Blue. It is a fantastic shade of blue that would match most skin tones and easily goes on with two coats, as do most Sally Hansen polishes.  First picture is of just two coats with no top coat.  Second picture is with two coats of colour plus two coats of Nubar 2010 and of course a top coat.  Nubar 2010 is a flaky polish which consists of flakes of reflective glitter of different colours.  It kind of turned out pinkish on top of the Blue Pacific.  All in all I love this colour of blue and would be fab on the toes J

Orly Rage

Orly Rage is a rose-gold super shiny polish.  I didn't think it would look very good with my skin tone, but it doesn't look bad.  The foil FX collection has been around for a few years, I just recently picked it up.  Great coverage in one coat but I did two coats for staying power.  Rage will be a staple in my collection.

China Glaze's Sea Spray

This is China Glaze sea spray.  It is a light dusty blue with a slight shimmer of silver.  It applied wonderfully, as do most China Glaze polishes.  I added some silver glitter, using Orly holy holo.

Julep Trina Polish

Love this Julep Trina polish!  A beautiful shimmery deep purple.  It easily went on with 2 coats and a great formula to work with.  I added Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Glass Slipper on my ring finger.  Dark colours are my fav!

OPI Mod About You

Pretty Pink Polish

I was so excited to get this, it's OPI mod about you! It is a nice pale pink that would suit most skin tones.  I do love the colour, but I found it difficult to apply.  It seemed too thick and it wouldn't really level out, strange for an OPI polish.  I added loose glitter to my ring finger as an accent nail.  Great colour for an Easter manicure!

Manicure

Everyone does their manicure different, these are my suggestions.

1. Remove all old nail polish.  
2. File nails to preferred length.  There are so many different ways to shape your nails, do what looks best on you.
3. I use a cuticle remover because I am not a fan of cutting my cuticles (unless I have a hang nail.)  Gently push back your cuticles with a orange stick or a metal cuticle pusher.
4. Use a soft nail brush and warm soppy water to remove all the cuticle remover and dust from filing your nail, then dry thoroughly.
5. It is best to use a base coat so the nail polish doesn't stain your nails.  Base coat also helps to adhere the polish to your nails.  There are a ton of base coats, I like OPI Nail Envy.
6. FINALLY the colour.  Apply a polish that makes you happy.  Usually I do 2 coats to achieve the opaqueness I like, sometimes more is needed and sometimes less.
7. Remove all nail polish from cuticles or anywhere else you messed up...we all do it!  I find the easiest way to do that is with acetone and an angled make-up brush or Q-tip.  You can also buy corrector pens to remove excess polish.  Whatever you choose that works best for you.
8. Last but not least the top coat.  There are many out there, but my all time favourite is Seche Vite.  Fast drying and shiny as glass.  I don't think it can be beat.
9. One more tip is cuticle oil.  I use it frequently and the best time to apply it is before bed along with some moisturiser.  

Treat yourself to a home manicure, you can save yourself some money by doing it yourself or get together with a friend and do each others!

Revlon Metallic in Copper Penny

I've had this polish for a while but this is the first time I have actually used it. It is not as orange as it appears in the photo.  It's actually a nice neutral and is opaque in one coat, but I did two for a deeper colour.  Revlon nail products are available just about anywhere and are relatively inexpensive. Love it!

Marble Effect Manicure

All you need is a small sponge and a couple of different colours of nail polish and voilà!  I used Orly Goth and Julep Alma.  Goth has a black base with subtle silver glitter.  Alma is a chartreuse colour, leaning more towards yellow and  very unique.  It creates a marble effect.

Shout out to Nail Polish Canada

I want to mention Nail Polish Canada.  It is one of the very few Canadian online stores that sell nail polish.  They have a wonderful selection and the customer service is top notch.  Right now you can get free shipping for anything over $25.00 or $3.00 flat rate.  So bravo to to Nail Polish Canada!

Kind of a Valentine's Day Manicure

I thought this was a nice Valentine's Day manicure.  I'm not into hearts so this is the next best thing.  I normally am not fond of Essie polishes because they are not opaque enough for me, they take a bunch of coats and sometimes streak.  But the Cascade Cool went on well with only 2 coats. A Cut Above of course is a pretty pink glitter I couldn't resist!  So glad I gave Essie another shot!

I'm no Expert

I'm no expert, just a gal who loves nail polish.  Stay tuned!